what are the advantages of GPS on the apple watch?

Hi Samstudios,

Thanks for using Apple Support Communities. It sounds like you would like to know what is the difference between purchasing GPS only or GPS + Cellular model. Right?

Your Apple Watch uses either Wi-Fi or a cellular network for some features and services. So, with GPS only model without your iPhone or a Wi-Fi connection, you will not be able to use some features. We'd recommend looking over Use your Apple Watch without your iPhone nearby. The cellular connection mentioned there will either come from your paired iPhone or the Apple Watch itself (if GPS + cellular model).

Take care.

All models of Watch will operate with the paired iPhone, and its larger battery and better radios. Connecting to Wi-Fi or GOS or cellular consumes power, and an iPhone has substantially more power reserves than does Watch. The Watch will “borrow” that communications access and that power, communicating with the paired iPhone over a low-energy Bluetooth connection.

When the paired iPhone and Watch are within proximity, there is ~no difference between a GPS Watch and a GPS+Cellular Watch. Both function identically.

When the paired iPhone is out of range, the GPS Watch can only communicate when a known Wi-Fi network is within range, and can receive GPS signals when conditions permit. The GPS+Cellular Watch can (additionally) communicate via Wi-Fi and cellular, when out of range of the paired iPhone.

Using the internal cellular radio will somewhat shorten the battery run-time of the GPS+Cellular Watch.

The GPS+Cellular model will need an add-on to your cellular plan, if you want to use cellular communications.

If you do not choose to have the cellular plan add-on, then the GPS+cellular Watch model will function identically to a GPS Watch.

GPS is when your Apple Watch can work on the internet or Personal Hotspot. If you do not have any of the internet connections or the hotspot, you can't really do anything else. I recommend Celluar as well because you can work it without the internet.

TechyGuy22 wrote:

GPS is when your Apple Watch can work on the internet or Personal Hotspot. If you do not have any of the internet connections or the hotspot, you can't really do anything else. I recommend Celluar as well because you can work it without the internet.

GPS has noting to do with either cellular or WiFi internet connections. GPS, which stands for “global positioning system” connects directly to satellites.